Earth Hour City Challenge 2013

Based on the successful pilot and the enthusiastic feedback from around the world, the concept has been rolled-out globally in collaboration with external partners. 2012, WWF invited cities from 6 countries (Canada, India, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United States) to participate in the first international pilot of the Earth Hour City Challenge.

A total of 66 cities from participating countries accepted WWF’s challenge and submitted their plans for low carbon development and strategies for dramatically increasing renewable energy use. For city reporting details please visit the carbonn Cities Climate Registry.

Forli, New Delhi, San Francisco, Uppsala and Vancouver were all selected by the jury as Earth Hour Capitals in their respective countries. The City of Vancouver was also awarded the title Global Earth Hour Capital for excellence and leadership in sustainable urban development. The awards were presented on 19 March 2013, at a conference and award ceremony in Malmo, Sweden.

A number of impressive initiatives were highlighted in profiles of country finalists in a People’s Choice campaign where people around the world were invited to vote for their favorite among these cities.

Finalists

The following finalists were selected by WWF and profiled in the People’s Choice campaignwhere people around the world were invited to vote for their favorites among these cities:

Canada: Colwood, Surrey, Vancouver

India: Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi

Italy: Forli, Siena

Norway: Arendal, Oslo, Stavanger

Sweden: Malmö, Stockholm, Uppsala

USA: Chicago, Cincinnati, San Francisco

Vancouver received the greatest number of votes and therefore also received the People’s Choice Award. Visit the user-generated photo gallery where residents shared their favorite sustainability features of their own cities.

Presentations from the Earth Hour City Challenge Conference 2013

Christiana Figueres, member of the international jury for the WWF Earth Hour City Challenge, recognized the participation of all cities involved in the challenge at the Award ceremony 2013. City-level response is integral in the fight against climate change and cities that engaged in the Earth Hour City Challenge are leading the way in policy implementation.

Forli, New Delhi, San Francisco, Uppsala and Vancouver were all selected by the jury as Earth Hour Capitals in their respective countries.